Chi-Chi Bean Toasts

You might be asking, “What the heck is a chi-chi bean?” Well, that’s what my Italian Grandmother calls garbanzo beans. And isn’t it more fun to say chi-chi than garbanzo?? Next time try feeding your kids chi-chi’s and see if they are more inclined to eat them

Anyway, this recipe came out of my love for bite size food and wanting to create a version of my Mom’s famous chicken salad. Now, I’ve never tasted it myself, but everyone raves so here is my vegan version made a little fancy.

Chi-Chi Bean Toasts

Makes 5 sandwiches or 36 bite size toasts

What you’ll need:

1 15 oz. can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinse well (or 15 oz. of dried beans re-hydrated and cooked)

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh dill

1 tbsp. relish

1/4 cup veganaise (or your favorite vegan mayonaise)

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 tsp. paprika (plus more for sprinkling on top)

salt and pepper to taste

sliced bread

What you’ll do:

In a medium size mixing bowl, smash the beans and shallots with a potato smasher or fork until the beans are broken into about 1/4 of the size. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Season to taste and serve as a sandwich or on sliced toasts as an appetizer.